Jan Toorop

Jan Toorop (1858 – 1928) ranks alongside Van Gogh and Mondrian as one of the most important Dutch artists of the period around 1900. All three took their bearings from the latest international developments in the art of their time and all three produced work that influenced other artists. For example, Toorop was a major source of inspiration for Gustav Klimt.

Toorop’s work is popular with the general public in the Netherlands and is often associated with Art Nouveau, mainly because of his well-known advertising poster for Delft salad oil. Indeed, this poster is so well-known in the Netherlands that Art Nouveau is often called ‘slaoliestijl’ (= ‘salad oil style’)! Fewer people are aware that Toorop worked in many other styles. He also produced Neo-Impressionist, Pointillist and Symbolist paintings and his innovations in painting included the use of flat areas of colour. It used to be thought that he switched constantly between these styles but recent research has revealed a clear line in his artistic development. He responded to his environment and regularly modified existing works. In this respect, he was an extremely progressive artist.

This spring, the Gemeentemuseum presents an exhibition designed to draw attention to the diversity in Toorop’s work. The approx. 150 works on show will include many top items. Your chance to discover the life and work of this great Dutch artist!

This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of Fonds 21, VSBfonds, Stichting Gifted Art, K.F. Hein Fonds, De Gijselaar-Hintzenfonds, Hizkia van Kralingen and Gravin van Bylandt Stichting.